Jack Burditt Movies

Along with Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 30 Rock was one of two NBC series of the 2006-2007 TV season to take place backstage at a Saturday Night Live-style comedy show. In the case of 30 Rock, "SNL" veteran Tina Fey served as series creator and executive producer, and also assumed the leading role of Liz Lemon, head writer of the ficitional comedy-ensemble series "The Girlie Show." Liz was placed in the none-too-skilled hands of novice network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), whose previous experience had been confined to the offices of the network's corporate owners (clearly General Electric). At Jack's behest, the long-suffering Liz was compelled to hire irresponsible and highly temperamental movie comedian Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan). Jordan's intrusion upon the "Girlie Show" set did not rest well with lead comedian Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), and thus Liz ended up being less a writer and more a referee. A 30 Rock debuted October 11, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Following in the footsteps of her former Seinfeld co-stars Michael Richards and Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred in her own sitcom, Watching Ellie. Created by the star's husband, Brad Hall, the weekly NBC series showcased Louis-Dreyfus as Eleanor "Ellie" Riggs, a moderately successful but slightly disaster-prone L.A. nightclub singer. In some ways, this was a traditionalist sitcom, with Ellie crossing verbal swords with her irksome ex-sweetie Edgar (Steven Carell), her new musician boyfriend, Ben (Darren Boyd), and her wacky neighbor, Ingvar (Peter Stormare). There was, however, an intriguing gimmick; in the tradition of the weekly drama series 24, each episode of Watching Ellie was played out in "real time," with a clock at the corner of the screen ticking out the allotted 22 minutes (originally, Louis-Dreyfus had demanded that there be no commercial interruptions during the action, but NBC saw things differently). The series debuted February 26, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In preparation for the annual Snow Ball, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) takes dancing lessons from Daphne (Jane Leeves). He hadn't actually planned to take her to the ball -- but that's how things wind up. Upon seeing his estranged wife, Maris, with her date, Niles determines to show her up by performing a tango to end all tangos. The climax of this ballroom duel is a major defining moment in the relationship between Niles and Daphne. This Emmy-winning Frasier episode was the first to be directed by series star Kelsey Grammer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Firmly and comfortably ensconced in its Tuesday-night timeslot, Frasier launched its third season on NBC. The basic character lineup was carried over from the first two seasons: Seattle radio psychologist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), his brother and fellow "shrink" Niles (David Hyde Pierce), their retired policeman father Martin (John Mahoney), Martin's down-to-earth cockney caregiver Daphne Moon (Jane Reeves) -- for whom the very married Niles silently carried a torch -- and Frasier's sharp-tongued radio producer and call-screener Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin). Though Dan Butler was still receiving "special guest appearance" billing for the role of gonzo sports-show emcee Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, the actor was methodically moving out of the recurring-character class and ever closer to "regular" status. Then, of course, there was Niles' imperious, fabulously wealthy wife Maris -- still much talked about but still never seen. Additions to the recurring cast during season three included Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl, who made a cluster of unforgettable appearances as Kate Costas, the headstrong, ratings-obsessed new manager of Frasier's home radio station KACL. The combative relationship between Frasier and Kate rather unexpectedly morphed into a torrid romance, culminating with a poignant airport farewell. Also making her earliest series appearances was Irene Olga Lopez as Marta, Maris' maid and go-between. Finally, Luke Tarsitano became the first of several young actors to essay the role of Frasier's son, Frederick. In the tradition of Kelsey Grammer's former Cheers co-stars Bebe Neuwirth and Ted Danson, Shelley Long made a return appearance as Frasier's former fiancée Diane Chambers in the episode titled "The Show Where Diane Comes Back." The hints dropped in this episode that Frasier and Diane might rekindle their romance were eclipsed by the turbulent events in the life of Frasier's brother Niles. It was during season three that Niles' marriage to Maris began to disintegrate, and also during this season Niles finally "declared" himself to Daphne in the form of a kiss (though they would not be genuine lovers for several seasons to come; Daphne was not yet about to be tied down to anyone, and Niles was still skittish about jumping into another relationship).

In what was now becoming an annual ritual, Frasier garnered several Emmy Awards during its third season. This time, the statuettes were doled out for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing (multi-camera production). The final Frasier episode of the season, "You Can't Go Home Again," offered a "prequel" to the events leading up to the first episode of season one. As a bonus, the episode ended with a roll call of all the A-list celebrities who had been heard as "guest voices" during the past three seasons, playing the various neurotics who placed calls to Frasier's radio show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Paul (Paul Reiser) is one of six PBS documentary filmmakers assigned to "record" their own everyday lives. Accordingly, Paul turns his camera on himself, his wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), and their friends. The result, shot in two "real-time" takes, is one of Mad About You's very best episodes. After all, in what other program does one find Ira Gershwin, Courtney Love, and chicken à la king all discussed on the very same evening? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jamie (Helen Hunt) is eager and willing to return to college. Alas, husband Paul (Paul Reiser) forgot to mail Jamie's registration papers. Racing against a deadline, Paul, Fran (Leila Kenzle), Lisa (Anne Ramsay), and Ira (John Pankow) try to correct Paul's oversight, leading to a series of confusing confrontations with a steady stream of self-involved teachers -- notably a persnickety French instructor (Julia Sweeney). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide